Stephen Maiorino, a married Boynton Beach police officer and a father of two, has been accused of on-duty rape and is seeking pretrial release. The prosecutor called the officer a danger to the victim and the rest of the community. The defense attorney claims the sexual encounter was “consensual”. Maiorino is facing two counts of sexual battery by a law enforcement officer with a firearm, armed kidnapping, and a bribery-type offense; if convicted he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
On October 15, police pursued an individual who was later arrested for DUI, fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence. The passenger of this vehicle, the accuser, was left stranded with no working cell phone after police towed the vehicle. According to court records, Maiorino was supposed to take the alleged victim back to the police station so she could call family for a ride.
In her statement, the officer began to threaten her with arrest unless she performed oral sex on him upon arrival to the police station parking lot. Soon after, the officer drove her to an “abandoned field” to continue the sexual assault; throughout the alleged rape, Maiorino pointed his service weapon at her with one hand.The victim claimed Maiorino said, “If you tell anyone what just happened, I will find you and I will kill you.” A condom with the victim’s DNA was found hour after the alleged attack; a DNA test of Maiorino’s underwear also showed her DNA to be present.
Stephen Maiorino is a U.S. army reservist, and has been on the Boynton Beach police force for over eight years. Police Chief Jeffrey Katz said he was “both disturbed and disgusted by the nature of the complaint”, referring to Maiorino as a “rogue officer”. According to the Chief, he has put the officer on unpaid administrative leave, and will be fired if convicted in court. As of the 23rd of January, 2015, no decision was made regarding the officer’s release; the judge announced she would issue an order as fast as she possibly can.
Accusations of rape are serious, and if convicted carry stiff penalties. If you have been charged or believe you may be charged with a sex crime, an experienced criminal defense attorney is imperative. Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. aggressively handles all State and Federal criminal charges. Contact our law office to discuss your situation. Our Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney will strategically develop a defense designed personally for you and your situation. Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. represents clients throughout Broward County and all of South Florida, including: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Weston, Parkland, Cooper City, and Coral Springs.
